What is Neurocognitive Testing?

What is Neurocognitive Testing?Neurocognitive testing via computer allows for an accurate assessment of the cognitive function of the brain and serves as a diagnostic tool to measure recovery and document injury in a suspected concussion.

This test is administered pre-season (or before physical activity) to serve as a baseline for an individual’s normal cognitive function.“Pre-season” scores are compared to “post-injury” scores to assist in diagnosis, measurement, and recovery of suspected concussion.

The program utilized by St Joseph BVSM Concussion Program is Concussion Vital Signs, which measures several cognitive domains such as:

Verbal and visual memory

Psychomotor speed

Cognitive flexibility

Reaction time

Neurocognitive Testing is used by the majority of professional sports organizations, including:

National Football League (NFL)

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Major League Baseball (MLB)

National Hockey League (NHL)

Major League Soccer (MLS)

Hundreds of college sport programs

More than 3,000 school districts nationwide

Neurocognitive assessment can help to objectively evaluate the concussed athlete's post-injury condition and track recovery for safe return to play, thus eliminating the “guesswork” in concussion management. In fact, neurocognitive testing has been called the "cornerstone" of proper concussion management by an international panel of sports medicine experts